Brother Printer Offline Windows 10? [Fix Easy Ways]

Having a Brother Printer is undoubtedly advantageous, especially for Windows 10 users. However, one common issue that can cause frustration is when the Brother Printer goes offline unexpectedly. If you’ve encountered this problem, fear not, as we have compiled a detailed troubleshooting guide to help you get your printer back online quickly. In this article, we will walk you through various steps, addressing common reasons and providing effective solutions to resolve the “Brother Printer Offline Windows 10” issue.

Shows online Why is my Brother Printer offline windows 10?

There are many reasons that could make your printer show offline while the windows show Online. You can fix this error without getting any professional help, on your own. Let’s get on to the possible solutions to resolve the Why Is My Brother Printer Offline error.

How do I get my brother printer back online?

Now, before you start troubleshooting the error, here are a few things that you might want to check:

Check is your printer on or off

• If the printer is not even starting, cross-check that the power supply is consistent and there is no interruption. One possible reason could be an issue in the power supply that makes the screen go blank.
• When the printer is unattended for too long, it goes into sleep mode. Check if the screen on the printer is blank and the brother printer is offline, you need to turn it on again to print documents.
• There could be other different issues like papers stuck in the tray, or the ink is finished. If the screen is on but it’s still showing offline status, you have to check for these possibilities.

Set your printer on default mode

If you have more than one printer connected to Wi-Fi, there is a chance that windows have selected that as the default printer. You need to ensure that Brother printer is the default printer in windows for brother printer offline fix. For doing that:

1. Open “Run” by pressing the ‘Windows and R’ keys at the same time on your device.

2. Type “Control Panel” and press “OK“
3. Click on “Hardware and Sound”.

4. Select “Devices and Printers”.

5. Search for the Brother printer and ensure that one is checked as the default printer.

Clear all pending printing jobs

Sometimes old unfinished printing commands could be a hurdle in the way of printing new documents. To remove all printing commands, do the following:

1. Right-click on the Brother printer’s icon.
2. Click on ‘see what’s printing’.
3. Click on ‘Cancel all documents’.

If you’re logged out as an administrator, you might have to click on ‘Open as Administrator’, log in with your credentials and then cancel all documents. You will have to do that if the canceling documents option appears in grey and you are not able to click on that.

Check jam printer

If the printer gets jammed for some paper stuck in it, it can show any error like the printer is jam or offline. To check and clear the flow, do the following:

1. Turn it off and open the paper tray and take out the paper rollers. If there is any sheet stuck, remove that.
2. Either there is paper stuck or not, you need to clean the tray with a moist cloth.
3. Wait for it to dry and then put the rollers back in.
4. Try printing new documents to check if solves the issue.

The connection between printer and system

1. Ensure that the connection between the system and printer is uninterrupted. If you are connected to the printer through Ethernet, then check if it is properly linked to both. Print a network configuration page to help you out if you require an IP address.
2. If you are connected through a USB cable, make sure it is connected properly. If you have any doubt, you can connect it directly without the hub.
3. In the case of wireless connection, get the IP address through network configuration.

There are very high chances of at least one of these methods working out for you and resolve the Brother printer is offline issue. If none of this works, you might have to troubleshoot the issue and take some other steps which are listed below. These fixes will surely help you get your printer back online.

Troubleshooting Brother Printer Offline Windows 10 Issue

Now that we have identified the potential causes behind the Brother Printer offline problem on Windows 10 let’s explore detailed solutions to each issue:

Ensuring Printer Connectivity

To check the printer’s connectivity:

1. Ensure the USB cable is securely plugged into both the printer and your Windows 10 computer.
2. If using a wireless connection, ensure that the printer is connected to the same network as your computer.

If the connection is established, move on to the next step. If not, resolve the connectivity issue before proceeding.

Updating Printer Drivers

To update the printer drivers:

1. Open the “Device Manager” on your Windows 10 computer.
2. Locate your Brother Printer under “Printers” and right-click on it.
3. Select “Update driver” and choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software.
4. Windows will search for the latest drivers and install them if available.

Once the driver update is complete, check if the printer is online.

Resolving Paper Jams or Empty Cartridges

To check for paper jams or empty cartridges:

1. Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
2. Open the printer’s cover carefully and check for any paper jams or empty cartridges.
3. Remove any stuck paper or replace empty cartridges.
4. Close the printer’s cover, plug it back in, and turn it on.

After resolving the paper jam or replacing cartridges, try printing to see if the printer is online.

Restarting the Printer Spooler Service

To restart the Printer Spooler Service:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter to open the Services window.
3. Scroll down and locate “Print Spooler” in the list of services.
4. Right-click on “Print Spooler” and select “Restart.”

Once the service is restarted, check if the printer is online.

Reviewing Windows Updates

To review Windows updates:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Go to “Update & Security” and click on “Windows Update” in the left sidebar.
3. Click on “View update history” and review the recent updates installed.
4. If you suspect an update is causing the issue, you can uninstall it by clicking “Uninstall updates.”

After uninstalling any potentially problematic updates, check if the printer is online.

Checking Network Connectivity

To check network connectivity:

1. Ensure that the printer and your computer are connected to the same network.
2. If using a Wi-Fi connection, try restarting your router to resolve any network issues.

Once you’ve verified the network connectivity, check if the printer is online.

Adjusting Firewall and Antivirus Settings

To adjust firewall and antivirus settings:

1. Open your firewall or antivirus software settings.
2. Look for options related to printer communication or network devices.
3. Add the Brother Printer as an allowed device or application.

After making these adjustments, check if the printer is online.

Resolving IP Address Conflict

To resolve IP address conflict:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “cmd” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
3. In the Command Prompt, type “ipconfig /release” and press Enter.
4. Wait for the command to complete, then type “ipconfig /renew” and press Enter.

This will renew the IP address of your computer, potentially resolving any conflicts. Check if the printer is online.

FAQs about Brother Printer Offline Windows 10

Q: Why does my Brother Printer keep going offline on Windows 10?

A: Several reasons can cause this issue, including connectivity problems, outdated drivers, paper jams, printer spooler errors, and more.

Q: How do I update my Brother Printer drivers on Windows 10?

A: You can update the printer drivers through the Device Manager on your computer. Locate your printer, right-click on it, and select “Update driver.”

Q: My Brother Printer shows a paper jam, but there is no paper stuck. What should I do?

A: Sometimes, sensors can detect false paper jams. Try opening and closing the printer’s cover to reset the sensor. If the issue persists, restart the printer.

Q: Can a firewall block my Brother Printer from connecting to Windows 10?

A: Yes, overly restrictive firewall or antivirus settings can block printer communication. Adjust the settings to allow the printer to connect.

Q: How do I resolve an IP address conflict with my Brother Printer?

A: Open an elevated Command Prompt and type “ipconfig /release” followed by “ipconfig /renew” to renew your computer’s IP address, potentially resolving the conflict.

Q: Why do Windows updates affect my Brother Printer’s status?

A: Sometimes, updates can interfere with printer drivers or settings, causing the printer to go offline. Uninstalling problematic updates may resolve the issue.

Conclusion

Encountering the “Brother Printer Offline Windows 10” problem can be frustrating, but with the troubleshooting guide and solutions printer offline fix provided in this article, you can resolve the issue effectively. Ensure proper connectivity, update drivers, check for paper jams, and manage printer spooler services to get your Brother Printer back online. Moreover, reviewing recent Windows updates and adjusting firewall settings can also make a significant difference. By following these steps, you can enjoy seamless printing with your Brother Printer on Windows 10 once again.